British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak campaigns in Stoke on July 1. Getty Images
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak campaigns in Stoke on July 1. Getty Images
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak campaigns in Stoke on July 1. Getty Images
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak campaigns in Stoke on July 1. Getty Images

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UK

Sunak urges wavering Tories to back him and stop Labour majority

'An unchecked Labour government would be a disaster from which it would take decades to recover,' the Prime Minister will say in a speech on Tuesday

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

July 01, 2024

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Live updates: Follow the latest news on the UK general election

A small number of voters could swing the general election result away from a huge Labour majority, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will say on Tuesday, adding the outcome of the poll this week is not a “forgone conclusion”.

During the final 48 hours of the election campaign, Mr Sunak will urge wavering Conservative voters to stick with his party.

Latest opinion polls show the Labour Party is on course for a huge majority in Parliament after the election.

The Conservatives have called this an unaccountable “supermajority”, in a bid to dissuade voters who would usually back them from switching to rival political parties.

“The outcome of this election is not a foregone conclusion," Mr Sunak will say in a speech in Oxfordshire, exerpts of which were released early.

"If just 130,000 people switch their vote and lend us their support, we can deny Starmer that supermajority."

His reference to those switching away from Labour refers to an analysis by The Times newspaper of a YouGov poll, which highlights the party’s wide but shallow voter coalition.

“Just think about that: You have the power to use your vote to prevent an unchecked Labour government," Mr Sunak said.

“So, we must redouble our efforts in these final days and deliver the strongest Conservative voice in the next parliament.

“We are fighting for the future of our country and every door we knock on, every leaflet we deliver and every call we do will make a difference.”

Rishi Sunak through the years - in pictures

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4 as the date for the 2024 general election at No 10 Downing Street. Here, The National looks back at his political career. Getty Images
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4 as the date for the 2024 general election at No 10 Downing Street. Here, The National looks back at his political career. Getty Images
Mr Sunak during local election campaigning in Teesside in May 2024. Getty Images
Mr Sunak during local election campaigning in Teesside in May 2024. Getty Images
Mr Sunak presents cupcakes to journalists on board a plane on the way to Warsaw in April 2024. Getty Images
Mr Sunak presents cupcakes to journalists on board a plane on the way to Warsaw in April 2024. Getty Images
Mr Sunak during a press conference in Downing Street in January after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. Getty Images
Mr Sunak during a press conference in Downing Street in January after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. Getty Images
Being applauded after his speech at the Conservative Party conference in October 2023. Getty Images
Being applauded after his speech at the Conservative Party conference in October 2023. Getty Images
Looking pensive alongside then-home secretary Suella Braverman at No 10 in October 2023. She didn't last much longer in the cabinet. Getty Images
Looking pensive alongside then-home secretary Suella Braverman at No 10 in October 2023. She didn't last much longer in the cabinet. Getty Images
Mr Sunak sits in an old Special Branch police vehicle which was used to transport former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in July 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak sits in an old Special Branch police vehicle which was used to transport former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in July 2023. Getty Images
On board Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover in June 2023. Getty Images
On board Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover in June 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arriving in Japan ahead of the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arriving in Japan ahead of the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sending a message at Accrington Market Hall in January 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sending a message at Accrington Market Hall in January 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in November 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in November 2022. Getty Images
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government in October 2022. Getty Images
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government in October 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak makes a statement outside No 10 in October 2022 after taking office. Getty Images
Mr Sunak makes a statement outside No 10 in October 2022 after taking office. Getty Images
Mr Sunak arrives inside Number 10 in October 2022. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak arrives inside Number 10 in October 2022. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
Greeted by colleagues at Conservative Party HQ after having been announced winner of the leadership contest in October 2022. Getty Images
Greeted by colleagues at Conservative Party HQ after having been announced winner of the leadership contest in October 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak at Westminster Hall in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. PA
Mr Sunak at Westminster Hall in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. PA
Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy, on the campaign trail in August 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy, on the campaign trail in August 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak looks at an NLAW anti-tank launcher during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast in August 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak looks at an NLAW anti-tank launcher during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast in August 2022. Getty Images
At a hustings event in Exeter in August 2022. Getty Images
At a hustings event in Exeter in August 2022. Getty Images
Celebrates England's first goal as he watches the Women's Euro 2022 final in Salisbury in July 2022. Getty Images
Celebrates England's first goal as he watches the Women's Euro 2022 final in Salisbury in July 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ms Truss take part in the BBC Leadership debate at Victoria Hall, Hanley, in July 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ms Truss take part in the BBC Leadership debate at Victoria Hall, Hanley, in July 2022. Getty Images
With daughters Krisna and Anoushka and wife Akshata Murthy in July 2022. Getty Images
With daughters Krisna and Anoushka and wife Akshata Murthy in July 2022. Getty Images
Opening the Great Ayton Village Fete during the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Getty Images
Opening the Great Ayton Village Fete during the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ms Murthy speak to then-Prince Charles at a British Asian Trust event in February 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ms Murthy speak to then-Prince Charles at a British Asian Trust event in February 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak arrives at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 when he was chancellor. Getty Images
Mr Sunak arrives at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 when he was chancellor. Getty Images
Holding the budget box as he departs 11 Downing Street to deliver his Autumn Budget in October 2021. Getty Images
Holding the budget box as he departs 11 Downing Street to deliver his Autumn Budget in October 2021. Getty Images
At a press conference on the 2021 Budget in London in March 2021. Getty Images
At a press conference on the 2021 Budget in London in March 2021. Getty Images
With former prime minister Boris Johnson during a visit to PD Ports on the River Tees in March 2021. Getty Images
With former prime minister Boris Johnson during a visit to PD Ports on the River Tees in March 2021. Getty Images
Mr Sunak poses with the budget box at 11 Downing Street in March 2021. Getty Images
Mr Sunak poses with the budget box at 11 Downing Street in March 2021. Getty Images
Meeting staff back at work after being furloughed at Hamleys toy shop in London, December 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Meeting staff back at work after being furloughed at Hamleys toy shop in London, December 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Mr Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in November 2020. Getty Images
Mr Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in November 2020. Getty Images
Lighting a candle for Diwali on Downing Street, November 2020. Getty Images
Lighting a candle for Diwali on Downing Street, November 2020. Getty Images
Working on a speech in his flat above 11 Downing Street in November 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Working on a speech in his flat above 11 Downing Street in November 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak visit the headquarters of Octopus Energy in London in October 2020. Getty Images
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak visit the headquarters of Octopus Energy in London in October 2020. Getty Images
With his 'Winter Economy Plan' outside 11 Downing Street in September 2020. AFP
With his 'Winter Economy Plan' outside 11 Downing Street in September 2020. AFP
Decorating a plate at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke pottery in September 2020. Getty Images
Decorating a plate at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke pottery in September 2020. Getty Images
Promoting 'eat out to help out' on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in August 2020. Getty Images
Promoting 'eat out to help out' on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in August 2020. Getty Images
A member of the public takes a selfie with Rishi Sunak during a visit to Scotland in August 2020. AFP
A member of the public takes a selfie with Rishi Sunak during a visit to Scotland in August 2020. AFP
Visiting a Wagamama restaurant in central London in July 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Visiting a Wagamama restaurant in central London in July 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Rishi Sunak visits a Pret A Manger in Westminster in July 2020. HM Treasury
Rishi Sunak visits a Pret A Manger in Westminster in July 2020. HM Treasury
With Mr Johnson at his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in February 2020. Getty Images
With Mr Johnson at his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in February 2020. Getty Images
Mr Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff in November 2019. Getty Images
Mr Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff in November 2019. Getty Images

He is expected to claim that Conservative MPs will act as local champions for their constituents, who “can be your voice, represent your values and stand up for you”.

Mr Sunak will also say more Tory MPs would help to “prevent Labour from rewriting the rules so that they can stay in power for decades”, pointing to Labour’s proposals to extend voting to 16 and 17-year-olds as among the moves that could entrench the party’s voter base.

“A Labour government would be bad for our country, and an unchecked Labour government would be a disaster from which it would take decades to recover," Mr Sunak will say.

“Between now and Thursday, we have got to get the message out to people that we Conservatives will stand up for you and make sure your voice is heard, your values represented.”

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